Mary Jenkins Oral History Interview

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

The oral history consists of five digital files: 2011.174.69.1a, 2011.174.69.1b, 2011.174.69.1c, 2011.174.69.1d, and 2011.174.69.1e. Mary Jenkins describes Albany, Georgia, during her childhood and discusses moments when she encountered racial prejudice. She describes her education in all-black schools, her decision to attend Fisk University, and her longing to become a teacher. Around the time of Brown v. Board of Education, she began teaching in Georgia and witnessed negative reactions of white administrators to the decision. Jenkins describes her decision to join the Albany Movement, and she shares memories of working with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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